The enzyme amylase will catalyze the hydrolysis of starch to maltose when the pH is near 7.0. But when the HCl is added to the solution the amylase will be denatured which results in the enzyme being deactivated. The iodine serves as an indicator for the presence of starch. Iodine (I2) will reach with iodide ion to produce the I3- ion. This ion will form a dark blue complex with the starch molecule. Like most …showed first 75 words of 308 total…

…showed last 75 words of 308 total…of the solution (if iodine is added) will become lighter and lighter. Enzymes are biological molecules that catalyze many different chemical reactions. With few exceptions, all enzymes are proteins and each enzyme is specific to a certain chemical reaction. Enzymes must maintain a specific three dimensional structure in order to function properly. If an enzyme's structure is altered (by heat or harsh chemicals) it may not function at all. This breakdown (denaturation) of an enzyme's